New Delhi – Bhopal Shatabdi Review

I always prefer travelling in Shatabdi train than a flight for short to medium distance than flight since the train is more economical and also spare me from the ear discomfort (I get that every time in flight, sometimes to the extent of acute pain).

Recently, I travelled in AC Chair Car of New Delhi – Bhopal Shatabdi (12002) for my trip to Gwalior. It runs between New Delhi railway station (NDLS) to Habibganj railway station (HBJ) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. This is the third fastest train in India with the top speed of 155 km/h, after new launched Train-18 (180 km/h) and Gatimaan Express (160 km/h).

Time Table

The train departs daily from New Delhi railway station at 6 in the morning and reaches Habibganj railway station at 2:25 PM, thereby takes 8 hours 25 minutes to cover the total distance of 707 kilometres. It stops at 8 intermediate stations in its journey.

The train undertakes the return journey(12001) on the same day, leaves Habibganj at 3 PM and reaches New Delhi at 11:30 PM.

Seats

The train has 14 AC Chair Car and 2 AC First Class coaches. Each Chair Car coach has the seating arrangement in 3×2 seats per row whereas each First Class coach follows the 2×2 seating arrangement. Each seat is equipped with a bottle holder, magazine/newspaper holder, footrest, and armrest. The seats recline and are comfortable. Since it is a sitting train, luggage is stored in overhead storage above the window seat.

Amenities

The English newspaper and one-litre water bottle are given as soon as the train starts. After a few minutes, tea/coffee is provided. Soon after that, breakfast is served.

Although the type of meal (Veg/Non-Veg) is to be specified at the time of booking, it can be changed by mentioning to the attendant. I had booked the veg meal but I got it changed to a non-veg meal. The menu of veg and non-veg is the same except that the veg and the non-veg meal includes veg cutlet and omelette respectively. Apart from it, passengers are provided two bread slice, butter, jam, french fries, and a beverage. I had opted for a non-veg meal, and while omelette was delicious, french fries were soggy and bland. Lemon juice was provided in the beverage and was insipid, to say the least.

I had booked the train till Gwalior but lunch is served for the passengers going to Bhopal.

My Verdict

Gwalior is around 350 kilometres away from Delhi and this train takes 3.5 hours to reach there, which is outstanding if you take the average speed of the Indian trains in context. I travelled in the peak of winters and my journey was delayed by 1 hour but it was understandable given that most of the route was covered with the thick layer of fog.

There is no better option than Shatabdi train if you are travelling for short distance in smaller cities with less or no flight infrastructure. It costs far less than the flight and in terms of cleanliness, it is somewhere between bus and flight. The timings of the Shatabdi trains also serves me well. Most of the Shatabdi train leaves Delhi in the morning and returns at night.

Ever since I have started travelling, I have travelled in chair class at least once in each of my trip and I loved it every time.

Have you travelled in Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi train or any other Shatabdi trains? How was your experience?